berlin

Streetsmart
166
Left Ambulance Centre A pharmacy in the centre of Berlin Right A police van
Security & Health Tips
Emergencies
As elsewhere in
Germany, the emergency
phone numbers are 112
for ambulance and fire
brigade, and 110 for the
police. These can be
dialled free of charge
from public phone boxes.
Safety
Berlin is a fairly safe
city. As in any other
metropolis, however, you
are advised to follow a
few golden rules. Keep
an eye on your valuables,
such as your wallet or
handbag, at all times,
especially on U- and S-
Bahn trains and on
buses. At night, the
following areas are best
avoided: the area behind
the Gedächtnis-Kirche,
U-Bahn line U9 north of
the Zoo, the districts
Lichtenberg (especially
the station) and Friedrichshain.
Eastern areas
can be less safe; black
or openly homosexual
visitors are also advised
not to take the S-Bahn at
night east of Alexanderplatz
or to Brandenburg.
Theft
Ask the hotel to place
your documents and valuables
in a safe if possible,
or carry them close to
your body. Even if you
are making a short visit,
it is worth taking out
insurance unless you are
already covered by your
household insurance. Be
sure to inform the police
immediately of any theft;
you’ll usually easily find
police officers patrolling
the streets in the centre.
d Polizeipräsidium, Platz
der Luftbrücke 6
• (030) 69 93 64 44
Lost Property
The Zentrales
Fundbüro (central lostproperty
office) keeps
anything that has been
lost and found anywhere
in Berlin. If you have lost
an item on public transport,
enquire with the
Fundbüro der BVG. The
Fundbüro der Deutschen
Bahn AG is responsible
for all items lost on the
S-Bahn or the railways.
d Zentrales Fundbüro,
Platz der Luftbrücke 6
• (030) 75 60 31 01
d Fundbüro der BVG,
Potsdamer Str. 182
• (030) 25 62 30 40
d Fundbüro der DB
• (01805) 99 05 99
Hospitals
Visitors from EU
countries are covered for
emergency treatment,
but British visitors should
obtain form E111 from a
post office before leaving
home. Non-EU visitors
should buy special travel
insurance to cover
medical emergencies.
Chemists
There are numerous
Apotheken (chemists or
pharmacies) all over
town. After 8pm, an
emergency phone line
will give you information
on where to find the
nearest open chemist.
d (030) 31 00 31
Online list of pharmacies: www.akberlin.de
Dentists
The dental emergency
phone line will
refer you to the nearest
dentist for treatment.
d (030) 89 00 43 33
Emergency
Services
There are several other
important numbers for
emergencies, which
usually operate throughout
the night. These will
provide telephone advice
or inform you of other
emergency services if
necessary.
d Doctors on call
• (030) 310 031
d German Red Cross
Rescue Service
• (030) 85 00 52 08
d Emergency Poison
Helpline
• (030) 192 40
d Narcotics Emergencies
• (030) 192 37
d Telephone helpline for
emotional problems
• 0800 111 0 111 • 0800
111 0 222 (spiritual help)
Embassies
Foreign visitors who
have lost their passport
or need legal advice or
help with their visa
should contact their
embassy (see p160).
Women travelling
on their own
Berlin is quite safe for
women on their own, but
avoid parks and dark,
quiet streets at night, as
well as the outer districts
of East Berlin. d
Confidential helpline for
women • (030) 615 42 43